The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a man who stole a truck and fled from Sheriff’s deputies.

At approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to the area of Courthouse Road on a report of a man driving a stolen truck with the victim in the bed of the pickup.

A deputy observed the vehicle on Courthouse Road near McCall Road driving recklessly. The driver fled from the deputy, lost control of the truck, and crashed into mailboxes.

Joseph Williamson, 31, of Springfield, fled on foot in a wooded area off McCall Road.

The female victim, who was in the bed of the truck the entire time, had some minor injuries and is expected to recover. Reports indicate when Williamson took the victim’s keys, she jumped in the bed of the truck and attempted to stop him.

Williamson is facing several charges including theft by taking, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, battery, reckless driving and several other traffic charges.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office at 754-3449.